6 House Boats to Rent in RI
These rentals offer on-water experiences for wannabe boaters.
After many summer weekends aboard my aunt and uncle’s trawler, I consider myself a fair-weather boat person. I probably wouldn’t buy a boat, but I appreciate the adventure of an overnight or two. For wannabe boaters like myself, I’ve come up with a general rule of thumb: You must be the type of person who prioritizes experience over comfort.
You’re in it for the immediate saltwater access; the unparalleled ocean views; the family-friendliness; the star-gazing; the camaraderie with other boaters; the bragging rights. You have to be, because with those great things comes infrequent bathing (look at me, I’m showering over a toilet!); irregular land access, unless your rental is docked (lucky!); general dampness; and legendary cabin fever on rainy days. Plus, things fall overboard if you’re not careful: your cell phone, your wallet, your husband. (Pro tip: My mom puts everything in little Ziploc baggies inside of a water-resistant handbag.)
If you can handle the good with the not-so-good, there are handfuls of boat rental options on sites like Airbnb and VRBO. Some listings are better than others — hello: we can smell your damp couch cushions, which haven’t been laundered since the early ’80s, through our computer screen — but there are some real gems up for rent in Rhode Island. My favorites, odd as it may seem, are docked in Providence by the Hot Club and other waterfront bars and restaurants. These are true house boats and have all the conveniences of tiny houses.
The Newport boats certainly up the fancy factor, but two of three are moored in Newport Harbor and require water taxis to and from the shore. The rental in Portsmouth is the only true sailboat of the bunch, but it’s docked so it’s more convenient. Bonus: It’s the cheapest, too.
Here are six great boat rentals for a summer adventure you’ll never forget:
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Newport: "The Lilypad," in Newport Harbor, runs between $400 and $475 per night.
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"The Lilypad" in Newport boasts three decks.
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"The Lilypad" in Newport sleeps four, with one bedroom and a convertible bed in the living space plus a divider for privacy. More info via
airbnb.com.
"The Lilypad" in Newport sleeps four, with one bedroom and a convertible bed in the living space plus a divider for privacy. More info via
airbnb.com.
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Newport: The "Belefonte," a moored houseboat in Newport Harbor, goes for $449 to $571 per night.
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The interior of Newport's "Belefonte" is chic and sleeps between three and four people.
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The "Belefonte" houseboat is powered by solar panels and doesn't have a dedicated shower, only a handheld shower head with cold water. ("Think glamping," the listing reads.) More info via
airbnb.com.
The "Belefonte" houseboat is powered by solar panels and doesn't have a dedicated shower, only a handheld shower head with cold water. ("Think glamping," the listing reads.) More info via
airbnb.com.
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Newport: "Captain Carl," docked on the north end of Newport Harbor, goes for $500 to $600 per night.
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Newport's "Captain Carl" boasts two bedrooms and one bath, sleeping four people.
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The "Captain Carl" in Newport is well-decorated and cozy. More info via
airbnb.com.
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Providence: This forty-five-foot Albin houseboat runs $195 per weeknight and $285 on weekends.
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The Albin's interior is sweetly decorated. It's also air conditioned and heated.
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The Albin sleeps four to six people with two private bedrooms, a convertible bed in the living room and two bathrooms. It's just down the dock from the Hot Club, Tel Aviv, Whiskey Republic and other waterfront bars in Providence. More info via
airbnb.com.
The Albin sleeps four to six people with two private bedrooms, a convertible bed in the living room and two bathrooms. It's just down the dock from the Hot Club, Tel Aviv, Whiskey Republic and other waterfront bars in Providence. More info via
airbnb.com.
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Providence: This forty-foot houseboat, again docked in the sweet spot on Providence's waterfront, runs between $195 and $325 per night.
Providence: This forty-foot houseboat, again docked in the sweet spot on Providence's waterfront, runs between $195 and $325 per night.
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The forty-foot houseboat in Providence has a nice, updated interior.
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With two bedrooms and convertible beds, the Providence houseboat sleeps six guests. More info via
airbnb.com.
With two bedrooms and convertible beds, the Providence houseboat sleeps six guests. More info via
airbnb.com.
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Portsmouth: The biggest (and least expensive) of the bunch, this fifty-foot sailboat is docked at a marina in Portsmouth. It runs between $90 and $160 a night.
Portsmouth: The biggest (and least expensive) of the bunch, this fifty-foot sailboat is docked at a marina in Portsmouth. It runs between $90 and $160 a night.
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The interior of the Portsmouth sailboat is decidedly nautical. According to the captain, it's also available for chartered excursions for $100 per day.
The interior of the Portsmouth sailboat is decidedly nautical. According to the captain, it's also available for chartered excursions for $100 per day.
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The Portsmouth sailboat has four full bedrooms and three baths. More info via
airbnb.com.
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